Can Kiffin, Tennessee hold it together and beat Georgia?
Five burning questions as we head into the weekend:
1. Can Lane Kiffin, Tennessee hold it together and beat Georgia? If Tennessee loses to Georgia on Saturday in Knoxville, the Volunteers will go into next week’s open date with a record of 2-4, 0-3 in the SEC. With the ineffectiveness of the offense, there are some signs of strain starting to show. Wide receiver Brandon Warren, a transfer from Florida State, was kicked off the team this week after a sideline confrontation with an assistant coach during Saturday night’s 26-22 loss to Auburn in Knoxville. Published reports said Warren had had other issues with the staff and that the incident during the game was simply the last straw. Wide receiver Gerald Jones also had a blowup during the previous week’s game with Ohio. Jones apologized for his actions. Coaching transitions, particularly when a school replaces someone (Phillip Fulmer) who had been head coach for 17 years, are rarely easy. Right now is when Lane Kiffin and his well-paid staff earn their money.
2. Is this the week that LSU finally puts it all together? When it comes to great athletes, there is no question that LSU is loaded. Getting off the bus, LSU is one of the best looking teams that you’re ever going to see. Despite last week’s dramatic win over Georgia, I still say that the LSU offense lacks an identity. It looks like head Coach Les Miles wants to line up and pound the football with Charles Scott and Keiland Williams. But the offensive line isn’t quite good enough to do that yet. Offensive coordinator Gary Crowton, a mad scientist if there ever was one, wants to spread it out and let quarterback Jordan Jefferson use his immense athletic ability to make plays. I just get the feeling that LSU is going to put it all together here pretty soon. Could Saturday night against No. 1 Florida in Baton Rouge be the night?
3. Will Florida State rally in time to play Georgia Tech? There is no question that there are some big issues at Florida State. President T.K. Wetherell came out in support of embattled head coach Bobby Bowden this week. But how long will that keep the critics at bay if the Seminoles keep losing? After a slight dip against Miami, Georgia Tech has now rallied and is playing well again. But the Yellow Jackets had better be ready for a team that may have one good game left in them.
4. Can Ole Miss finally live up to the preseason hype? Ole Miss was a preseason Top 10 team and the pick by many to win the SEC West. But if the Rebels lose to No. 3 Alabama on Saturday in Oxford, they will effectively be eliminated from the divisional race before mid-October. If Ole Miss is going to have a shot, then quarterback Jevan Snead has to play better. Snead, who was a consensus pick as the second best quarterback in the SEC behind Tim Tebow, is eighth in the SEC in passing efficiency. His completion rate (51.43 percent) is next to last among the SEC’s 12 starting quarterbacks.
5. Can Auburn keep it going at Arkansas? After winning at Tennessee last Saturday, Auburn is 5-0, ranked No. 17 and finally starting to get some love. Can the Tigers go back on the road and win again this week at Arkansas? The Razorbacks were really impressive in beating Texas A&M 47-19 in Arlington, Tex. If Auburn can win its second straight road game and goes to 3-0 in the SEC, the Tigers are setting themselves up for a pretty decent season in the first year under Gene Chizik. But before the Auburn folks start talking New Year’s Day bowls they should remember that after Arkansas the schedule still includes LSU, Ole Miss, Georgia, and Alabama.
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214 comments Add your comment
dave
October 8th, 2009
7:48 am
first
Gator Mike
October 8th, 2009
8:00 am
Go Gators and Go Dawgs this weekend! LSU is a serious threat for the Gators, and I sincerely hope that UGA beats UT.
RomeDawg
October 8th, 2009
8:01 am
The Tennessee coaching staff is a lot of “flash”. Is there any substance? I know what pops done with the Bucs, but is there any success, other that recruiting, in the rest of the staff’s past?
Motown Hound
October 8th, 2009
8:02 am
First!!!!!! Dawgs win out from here. Play Alabama for the SEC championship.
Simple
Motown Hound
October 8th, 2009
8:02 am
I meant fourth!!!!
bad brad
October 8th, 2009
8:10 am
Weird how so many teams still searching for their identity this deep into the season. Also weird how teams that were highly rated in off season (Ole Miss) have appeared to struggle and teams that nobody gave a 2nd thought to (Auburn) have been successful.
But with a win Saturday, suddenly Ole Miss is back and with a loss, Auburn returns to not being so highly thought of. Weird season, but entertaining. Even us Dawg fans still hold out hope for running the table, as witness Motown Hounds comments above.
Guess that’s why there’s nothing like college football.
MIke
October 8th, 2009
8:12 am
Realistic TN fans knew there would be growing pains. Some of the former regime’s kids were/are not going to buy into the new staff. This year and next Kiffin is playing with house money due to the roster being shallow with not alot of depth or talent.
He has made huge improvement in running game, overall offense (compared to last year’s debacle), and team discipline (no off the field issues and 3rd least penalized team in the nation). However, he does not have a QB on the roster to get them wins over programs like UF, AU, UGA, Bama, Ole Miss. If TN can run the ball effectivley, I think they have a chance but if UGA stops the run and scores 21 points, game is over.
You cannot make judgement on his success/failure until he has a chance to gets his recruits in there and has everyone buy into the program. So far the only success you can say he has had is discipline and recruiting.
ATLWREGL
October 8th, 2009
8:12 am
Huge Auburn fan here, but I have a bad feeling about this Arkansas game. Ark has always played us tough, especially in Ark. If our defense can step up and contain the QB and get pressure, we might have a chance. We will have to limit mistakes as well. With a tough schedule to come, a loss could be disastrous but a win could be a sign of a great season. After last season, I couldn’t ask for more than that.
Eric
October 8th, 2009
8:16 am
1. There’s lots of drama surrounding this one. Toss up with slight edge to the home team.
2. Mister Leslie has been extremely lucky since his arrival at LSU. It won’t last forever.
3. Whatever.
4. Don’t see it. They’re still Ole Miss.
5. Very hopeful for the Tigers. Wouldn’t be surprised if they’re 10-0 coming into the Iron Bowl.
6. War Damn Eagle!!!
toga
October 8th, 2009
8:17 am
Tennessee 24 Georgia 9 (but Ga. will have a good excuse)
Florida 28 LSU 27
Ga Tech 35 Fl State 17
Alabama 34 Ole Miss 13
Arkansas 30 Auburn 27
reebok
October 8th, 2009
8:18 am
Tech had a ’slight dip’ at Miami? Funny, I watched that game and it looked more like a swan dive. But you’re right, Tech is playing well now and I think the ‘Noles will be too disorganized to defend Tech’s option.
I think UGA wins a close one, and the Ramblin’ Wreck rolls. Happy Thursday to all…
coach smith
October 8th, 2009
8:18 am
What happens with that “LOSS” now that DEZ BRYANT has been ruled ineligable?
Could that actually be changed to a “W” midseason?
TOGA
What in the world have you seen from TENN that makes you think they will score 24 points?
You are obviously a TECHIE or Gator
tim
October 8th, 2009
8:19 am
Enter your comments here never thought I’d say this….Go Dogs! beat Lame as bad as you can..dogs by 17. As for my Gators I don’t care which QB lines up Sat night in red stick..we will beat LSU by at least 14
GT4Ever
October 8th, 2009
8:21 am
GT needs to kick and continue to kick FSU while their down. Show no mercy. Bobby’s a good ole country boy but his time has past him up. Great teams take care of business and if GT ever hopes to be one then they need to whip FSU Saturday night. We need to show the national audience we are for real. FSU may come out fired up but how long can that really last. A series or two. Tech should expect them to rally around Bobby. We should have no problem being fired up and ready to go. If we take care of business we shouldn’t have any problems with them. GO JACKETS!!!!!
JB
October 8th, 2009
8:22 am
Dawgs win although usual fashion of Ugly, say 17-14………I think Tenn. will keep it close for a half, but our D has had moments of good play this year in spots and our offense,weak as it is, has more weapons and speed than Tenn., and I think Ealey gets 20 touch’s for say 90 yards this week.
G Force
October 8th, 2009
8:22 am
1. UT has a good D, but absolutely no offense. You would think they would’ve benched Crompton by now to get a spark and/or start getting some experience at QB before next season. But the word out of Knoxville is the backup, despite being a scholarship player on an SEC team, is so bad that he makes Crompton look like a Heisman candidate. I think Georgia outlasts UT, but because of UGA’s problem with turnovers and penalties, would not be completely surprised if UT pulls off the upset.
2. LSU is struggling on offense; not as bad as the the Vols, but still struggling. The Gators offense, minus some key wide receivers from the championship team, have relied heavily on a running game that itself relies heavily on the Tebow factor to keep defenses guessing. Brantley is good, but making your first SEC start on the road in the bayou will be tough if Tebow is not cleared to play. I’m going with the Gators in this one.
3. GT and FSU are two teams on a roller coaster looking for some consistency. This is even more true for the Noles given the circus surrounding Bowden. FSU rallies around their coach at home to beat the Jackets.
4. Ole Miss is tough, but they were overrated and have been exposed. The Crimson Tide will begin securing their lock on the SEC west with a win in Oxford this Saturday.
5. Auburn’s offense was tested last week by the Vols D, who eventually became gassed with all of the 3-and-outs on offense, and were never able to pull far away. This week their defense gets tested because you know Arkansas is going to want to fling the ball around the field. I’d like to go with the home team, but I’m going to take the Tigers.
GoVols
October 8th, 2009
8:23 am
As Mike said, knowledgeable UT fans knew the next couple of years would be tough. Most of us haven’t overreacted to the loss of Brandon Warren – he was a concern once we accepted him as a transfer from that bastion of stability, FSU. Crompton has been a HUGE disappointment and the source of frustration among the receivers. My hope is the staff is able to keep the team focused, win or lose. Any comments about the coaching staff at this point are reactionary.
SimpleDawg
October 8th, 2009
8:25 am
The call on AJ was bull$#!+….but we never should have been in that position anyway.
Tennysee has a good defense, but Chumpton is a rally killing, turnover creating machine. Unless the Dawgs try to play another first half with Cox’s head up his @$$, the Dawgs should beat the Vowels pretty handily.
Wasaun Ealey needs to get the majority of the touches in the backfield…Samuel has had his shot, time to let the kid see what he can do. Could there be another “coming out” party in Knoxville?
FSU is in a state of confusion….you don’t fix 2 years worth of problems in 1 week. Tech should roll….but you never know. The ACC is made up of a bunch of schizophrenic teams…no one seems to know who they are? Some days a diamond, some days a stone.
You just know Tebow will be playing Saturday night at Death Valley in Red Stick, with all of those screaming Cajuns howling for blood. I’m thinking that LSU does get it together and give the Gators a fight….Gators had better not celebrate any big plays, or LSU may steal another victory…unless it’s The Saint, then it’s OK.
Ole Miss will get steamrolled by Bama. Jeven Snead is beginning to look like the kid who had to leave 2 programs in order to receive any playing time. The Tide Rolls…..
You keep wondering when the wheels will fall off of the Awbarn Limo Express. I have a feeling that R-can-saw will have a little something for the Tiggers…where’s Pooh Bear when you need him? Awbarn will face a murders row to finish the season….there may not be enough cat left to make an order of Moo Goo Gai Pan.
College football….you gotta love it!
coach smith
October 8th, 2009
8:25 am
Georgia wins on their best performance of the season
Tech loses amidst the emotion and tough situation at FlaSt
Arkansas’ offense is rolling, tough situation for Auburn who’s defense is suspect….tough call but I think Arkansas wins
Ole Miss only wins if Alabama sleep walks and turns it over 4 times
Florida and LSU is a tough one. 32 straight night time home wins for LSU is tough to go against. Georgia was able to move the ball throught the air on LSU, Florida does not have down field recieving threats right now. LSU is putting everything into this game…If Tebow plays and is 100% healthy Florida wins, if he doesn’t play or isn’t himself LSU wins
GT4Ever
October 8th, 2009
8:28 am
Coach smith…Your “D”. Before you say it. Of course, ours can’t brag.
Paddy
October 8th, 2009
8:30 am
Can Auburn beat Arkansas??? Everyone is going to beat that coward football coach. All other SEC coaches just hope he does not quit before their game appears on the schedule. How do snakes like this guy still get hired to represent a Univ?
toga
October 8th, 2009
8:31 am
Coach Smith
Have you seen Martinez running around the sideline waving his hands like a madman. The Ga. defense looks totally confused most of the time. It is not as much as I have seen from the Tn offense; I think the Ga. defense is that bad. Crompton looked okay his last outing and I think Tn. will be able to run the ball. I expect Tn’s defense to score a least one TD, probably Berry.
ROLL TIDE!
Tony is a UGA Homer
October 8th, 2009
8:31 am
Tony, can’t you say anything positive about Georgia Tech. What about the win last week and Nesbit’s performance. I promise you if that had been Georgia/Cox instead of Tech/Nesbit you would have been all over it. My prediction is that this week you pick UGA to win, Tech to lose. There use to be a saying about Jesse Outlar (you may remember him) that he would pick Georgia to win against the red chinese. You and Jesse are a lot alike.
GT Alum
October 8th, 2009
8:32 am
Tony, I heard you on the radio this morning on the drive into work. You called the AJ Green excessive celebration penalty the worst call you’ve ever seen in 32 years of covering college football. Are you serious? What a homer thing to say. While it was a bad call, there are PLENTY of other examples of calls that truly cost teams games in the past. At least UGA had a chance to stop LSU and didn’t. What about the refs giving Colorado a 5th down on their way to sharing a national title with GT?? How can that not be worse than a lousy excessive celebration penalty? You show your true colors day in and day out. To call that the worst call you’ve ever seen is a complete joke.
McDawg
October 8th, 2009
8:33 am
1) i ‘m more worried about the inverse of your 1st point
BTW we finally got your show up here in DC area on FIOS -great stuff
GT Alum
October 8th, 2009
8:34 am
Its a bad year to be a UGA homer. The excessive celebration was a bad call, but it was obvious to everyone not named Tony Barnhart that LSU was much better than UGA. Painfully obvious.
The Man
October 8th, 2009
8:37 am
How is it that when teams like bammer start out 5-0 they are the cream of the crop and the greatest team ever blah blah blah….but let Auburn start 5-0 and you get this line from Tony, “the Tigers are setting themselves up for a pretty decent season “? We’ll see who winds up having a “pretty decent season”.
im4bama
October 8th, 2009
8:38 am
1. No, they can’t hold it together because they haven’t put it together. Monte is the only good coach on the staff.
2. I hope LSU holds off putting it together until AFTER the Bama game.
3. Yes, FSU will rally for the best Dadgum coach, Bobby Bowden and beat GT.
4. Ha, don’t make me laugh Tony. Ole Miss was highly overated by goofs like you before the season started, but you should have known better. They’re Ole Miss, of course they can’t live up to the hype when they’re expected to do something.
5. Auburn is rolling and I believe they go in and outscore the hogs to get the win but as you pointed out, the rest of the schedule looks like reality check time.
GT Alum
October 8th, 2009
8:39 am
I challenge the fans from other schools to chime in here with your top picks for the “worst officiating mistakes ever”. I will start the list with mine being the 5 downs Colorado was given the year they shared the NC with GT. I’ll even go so far as to say the Jasper Sanks fumble against GT was up there on the worst calls/no-calls ever. Help me out a little here. There are PLENTY of calls that directly cost teams games over the 32 years that this man has been covering college football. There is no way that the call on AJ Green is the worst call ever.
coach smith
October 8th, 2009
8:39 am
I know that UGA’s “D” has only given up 30 points in the last 2 games vs AzSt and LSU
The same “D” also had 10 sacks in the last 2 games
So it looks like the defense is improving (hey I am not a WM fan either but give credit where it is due)
TENN’s defense is wearing out and without REVIES and a few others it got run out of the building last week
and an already bad TENN offense just threw their leading reciever (WARREN) off the team
Richt is 3-1 @ Tenn
UGA wins
coach smith
October 8th, 2009
8:40 am
GT alum
The Jasper Sanks “fumble” is at the top of the list
CW
October 8th, 2009
8:41 am
Georgia hasn’t played a really great game yet this year, but they haven’t been horrible yet either. I think they take out some frustration on what looks like a really weak Tennessee team.
It would be just like LSU to whip Florida this week and then lose to somebody they should beat next week.
I don’t know of a single Tech fan that thinks this week will be easy in Tallahassee. Ponder and FSU’s receivers match up very well against the Jackets inexperienced secondary. Tech can certainly win this one, but it will be a street fight either way.
Bama will roll.
One of these weeks, Auburn is going to get beat. Petrino and company need a win BAD. This might be the week.
coach smith
October 8th, 2009
8:42 am
GT alum
The Jasper Sanks “fumble” is at the top of the list
especially since, if it had actually been a fumble, the Tech guy who recovered it ran out of the endzone and came back and was tackled in the endzone, It wasn’t a fumble and if it was, then it should’ve been a safety
parker
October 8th, 2009
8:47 am
First time that neither UT or UGA has been ranked since ‘37. That’s just flat out bad. Whoever doesn’t goof the most probably wins in a really sloppy uninteresting game. It’s tedious being a Vol fan these days seeing how we are the mercy of how bad or slightly average Crompton is on a week to week basis.
SimpleDawg
October 8th, 2009
8:50 am
Hey GT Alum,
Go take an Imodium, and relax. Your yellow pettycoat is showing stains.
You’re all jacked up about Colorado because y’all shared the National Championship that no one deserved….bad year for college football.
GoNoles
October 8th, 2009
8:51 am
Hey “Go Vols”…your facetious comment about FSU being a bastion of stability is laughable considering it comes from a UT fan…yes FSU has issues but if you want to see instability…look in the mirror. Regarding Brandon Warren, I think the kid is from Alcoa, TN and his recruiting came down to FSU and UT and both wanted him badly. He initially chose FSU but transferred back home to UT afer his freshman year due to family medical issues. To say he was a concern after being accepted as a transfer from FSU insinuates that he was going to be trouble because of where he transferred from…bet you probably wouldn’t have made that statement if had had sigend with UT out of high school an still had the blow up on the sidelines a couple of years later.
Vol alum of reason
October 8th, 2009
8:56 am
Ditto what Mike said. With good recruiting classes will be at least two years before they are competing for the East. I’ll judge Kiffin et all after year 3.
Vol alum of reason
October 8th, 2009
8:59 am
Agree with Mike. With good recruiting it will be at least two years before they are competing for the SEC East. I will judge Kiffin et all after year 3. Dogs by 10. Go Vols!
joepine
October 8th, 2009
9:00 am
Enter your comments here TB, did I miss your remarks concerning this statement you made last week about LSU-FL ?? … How about this? Instead of worrying what Florida is going to do with Tebow, let’s talk about whether or not the Gators can win in Baton Rouge without him. The answer is yes. I’ll explain next week but know that it has to do with defense.
PLease detail your position, Thanks!
Alabama jack
October 8th, 2009
9:01 am
Tony, when you have Ugay and Tech fans claiming you are a homer – you must be doing something right.
dawgday
October 8th, 2009
9:04 am
1. Wasn’t LSU’s offense ranked 105th last weekend? Offenses seem to get better against the dawgs. Hope not this week. Probably going to be another nail biter.
2. LSU is a bit overrated but I think they handle a Tebowless UF at night. Game means a lot more to LSU than UF.
3. I’m not trying to hate on Tech here but seriously, look at their games, who they’ve beaten and what those teams have done thus far. Clemson (who got robbed in their game with GT) just lost to a pretty bad MD team. UNC just lost to UVA who everybody knows is still trying to get over losing to William & Mary. And they beat a lower tier SEC team. Watch out VANDY! You’re next!
4. Ole Miss will bring it this weekend. Should be good times at the grove.
5. Auburn ALWAYS has a great year when they’re expected to be awful. I predict 10-2.
Great SEC line up this week. Go Dawgs.
ratherBgambling
October 8th, 2009
9:05 am
Love the back peddling from all the UT fans.
It went from we are going to beat UF in January to ‘Are team isn’t that good in September’ or next year for that matter.
And you wonder why your coach is a punchline for jokes.
Vol alum of reason
October 8th, 2009
9:05 am
Chill Noles. He had well documented anger issues while in HS. No one is trying to say UT was any better at discipline issues than FSU or that his problems occurred while at FSU. UT just knew about the problems before he even went there. I think it was a worthwhile risk that just didn’t work out. Hate it for him. UT got rid of its discipline problem in Fulmer while FSU still has their’s in Bowden.
Chuck
October 8th, 2009
9:08 am
lsu is the same over-rated bunch of trash we thought they were. Two weeks in a row they have been awarded victories by having their board of regents officiating the game. Hint: when UGA-hating MARK MAY says Georgia got screwed, they did. And now the lsucks tigers get Florida at home with a questionable Tebow. Typical…
Keep talking them up. Bama will rape them. So will Auburn, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Arkansas and Ole Miss hang some numbers on that defense. Again I tell you, this is THE single most over-rated team and program in the country.
NoogaVol
October 8th, 2009
9:09 am
So gambling man. Are there no other teams that predict wins that don’t pan out. You don’t hear many coaches saying they are going to be mediocre and finish 6-6. Most UT fans just realize they aren’t as good as they thought. Unlike the Dogs which are still in denial.
Whopper Dawg
October 8th, 2009
9:13 am
Baby Kiffin and is baby offense heals against an even worse coordination, Senor Score 1/4 Willie, who heals all offenses even LSU’s. Papa Kiffin plays with Bobo, and GA fans get their wish of a new QB when Cox is knocked out of the game in second half. Logan does not better. TN wins by a comfortable margin and wins big if turnovers and penalties rebound after a one game absence vs LSU.
FLA manhandles LSU with or without Tebow.
Auburn is for real and beats Ark.
FSU cannot contain Tech although Bowden doesn’t realize it until next week,
Bama puts Ole Miss in their place. BAMA by 14.
Old Gold & White
October 8th, 2009
9:15 am
Bobby Bowden is 12-1 against Tech and has never lost in Tallahassee. This game will be very important to FSU, the Jackets better be focused and prepared. Tech must win to stay in the ACC race–GO JACKETS–(Chew up that clock).
Gen Neyland
October 8th, 2009
9:15 am
I mentioned yesterday that BW was just another phase of the clean up job CLK has to do due to CPF’s ways and means. Will he be the last..? I don’t know but what I do know is CLK continues to mark his spot and the message is clear. He’s in charge Atop Rocky.
GoNoles and Go Vols : It doesn’t matter where he’s from or what his favorite food is or what his Zodiac sign is, Warren was living on the edge in coachspeak. A competitor, yes, I believe he is and that’s partly the reason for his gourd popping. Yet CLK is stressing discipline and gourd popping has consequences when that gourd has been given multiple chances. Gerald Jones must be careful. Taking your frustrations out on the team is one thing, to take it on on a salaried employee of the University of Tennessee is another…GBO
gatech12
October 8th, 2009
9:20 am
Why is Joe Cox still the quarterback, I watched the spring game and loved Logan and Murray. Mark Richt was the play caller when charlie ward won the heisman. Let Logan play and let Richt call the plays, thats his style quarterback. Wasnt the last year he called plays the year uga won the sec with Shockey. I’m a tech fan but still watch every uga game and think Logan would give them another threat.
Dave In Tampa
October 8th, 2009
9:23 am
Being that we (Dawgs) love to play to the level of competition I’d have to say, by no stretch, that this will be an ugly game. UT is down this year. It’s tough not having an Offense, but in 2 years they will be back. I’m not a Lane fan at all, but I think he will get it done if you give him 4 years. Dawgs are 2 years away, in my opinion, for competing in the East. Next year we will have a new QB again and have to go through those pains.
Tech slaughters FSU. Nothing more to say about that. FSU stinks!
UF’s D-Fense will take over the game and will handle LSU.
Auburn will suffer their 1st loss, but still are having a good year!